It's a marathon, not a sprint, they say. Which is good, as my 16-stone frame would stand absolutely no chance of breaking into a sprint.

Yet I'm hoping that by some good fortune I'll have the wherewithal to cover 26 miles and 385 yards on foot on 18 April before everyone goes home.

I haven't yet told my osteopath, whose parting shot when she signed me off six months ago was: 'No more running'

There are nine weeks to go until the London Marathon. By now I should be training four or five days a week, be cutting down on the booze and avoiding the takeaways.

But I'm still three stone above my target weight, and running a moderate distance on a hard surface leaves me feeling like someone has taken a pneumatic drill to my knees.

I'm thinking there must be others out there who have fallen behind schedule with their training, who, like me, have become waylaid by laziness and temptation and who know that it's time to pull out the finger or face public humiliation.

But talk is cheap. It's time to walk - or rather run - the talk.

Bad back

A mixture of new dad angst and devilment got me into this mess.

You look up, expecting to see some stork-legged youth gliding away but it's invariably another ungainly bloater lolloping along - what must I look like?

When my daughter came along three years ago I thought I really ought to do something about my level of fitness. But then she liked patting my beer belly and I didn't think it was fair to deprive her of such harmless fun.

But now there's a boy on the way, and boys need someone to kick a ball around with.

I also have to admit that part of the reason I took my chances (one in three-ish) and applied for the marathon was to see how people I knew would react to this rather unlikely candidate's news.

A year ago, I couldn't actually sit down because of a back injury, so my announcement was met with much surprise, amusement and some concern.

I haven't yet told my osteopath, whose parting shot when she signed me off six months ago was: "Now remember, no more running".

Public statement

I know it certainly isn't fond memories of bringing up the rear in school cross-country races in wintry Lancashire that have inspired me to dust off my trainers and hit the road.

LONDON MARATHON FACTS The first race was in 1981 540,000 runners have completed the 26.2 mile course 33,000 are due to take part in this year's race An estimated �156m has been raised for charity since 1981 2002 men's race winner Khalid Khannouchi (USA) holds the course record of 2:05.38 Paula Radcliffe holds the women's record of 2:15.25 There are 76 pubs along the route

I suppose that publicly stating my intention to get fit in this way makes it more likely that I'll see it through - and although I'm a late starter, I'm used to working to deadlines.

At the moment, one of my problems is finding a decent place to run near my London home.

Wormwood Scrubs is all right, but I have to run the gauntlet of the local kids to get there.

Once they jettisoned a shopping trolley down the steps of the A40 underpass so its arrival at the bottom coincided with my emergence from the tunnel.

Charity

Another option is doing circuits of the local park. The trouble with this is that you have to suffer the indignity of being lapped by people whose marathon preparation is presumably right on track.

I'll have to get used to being overtaken, I suppose, but at the moment it annoys me.

Once you hear the familiar footfall behind you it's a case of head down until the person has sailed past.

But when you do look up, expecting to see some stork-legged youth gliding elegantly away it is invariably another ungainly bloater lolloping along. What must I look like?

Still, it's for charity, and I intend to be Running for Ella - a campaign aiming to raise �100,000 for research into finding a cure for cystic fibrosis.

All is not lost. I did a six-miler on Sunday morning after a lot of wine on Saturday night - surely the equivalent of running a marathon under normal conditions.

I look at my schedule and see that today is a rest day. That's a relief. Never mind that Monday and Tuesday weren't.

Are you getting ready for your first marathon? How is the training going? Here are some of your comments so far:

You can do it Rob, I entered my first marathon (New York) last year. I too am a natural couch potato, I managed to cut out the take aways and loose 3 stone. Quite a few people walked past me in the street afterwards, and then there were those who used to walk past me in the street who now stop and chat. A life changing experience!
Michelle, UK

I'm 14 stone and running 16 miles at weekends. It is muscular-skeletal issues which are the main problem, rather than cv fitness. Rob might consider marathon 2005 as a safer option
Hugh Sutherland, UK

After the cold nights, and getting over having a cold and cough for ages, I feel as though I'm properly getting into my stride now. Nine weeks is still a decent amount of time to build on your fitness and stamina, and anyone who's running the Marathon and is worried about their training, or lack of it, should try to remember that any exercise you do will benefit you - on the days you feel you can't run, go for a walk - you will always feel better for having done something! I am running for two very deserving animal charities, and organising my sponsorship has given me an extra incentive to "go for it", so I won't be worrying nearer the day that I might let down the people who are supporting me.
Shazza, England

Cycling into town I was overtaken by a young girl effortlessly peddling away. OK, no problem, she's 30 years younger - what do you expect. Only to be followed by an elderly gent at least 10 years older. Oh well. Being lapped is what us fatties have to learn to enjoy! Good luck _ I'm sticking to cycling.
Malcolm Blackie, UK

I am in exactly the same boat. Same weight, same lack of running and I am as worried as you are! Am only up to two hours running time (am not bothering in measuring distance as its only depressing!) Ran the New York 2002 and suffered a great amount of pain, but would clearly do it all again - sadist? Probably. People will get us round - make sure your shirt bears your name. People calling you to keep going has a great affect on your ability to get to the finish. Keep going. The accomplishment is rewarding once the finish line has been reached. Best of luck - for the both of us!
Tom L, England, UK

Good luck Rob. Having completed the 2002 London Marathon from much the same point you're at now - and much the same weight - all I can say is keep going at it, because it'll be worth it when you cross that finish line. My biggest incentive actually came from being power-walked past while training by someone who must have been over 70 (I was 21 at the time) - it was soul destroying at the time, but it made me try all the harder to train and finish.
Mark Hughes, UK

Enjoy the atmosphere, Rob! It's a fantastic experience that everyone who's ever run for fun should enjoy at least once When I was lucky enough to get a ballot place in 2000 I expected that when I turned right off Tower Bridge and into the eastern section at about the 12 mile mark there would be people coming back, nine miles ahead of me. The thing that really awed me was when I was on my way back and there were people still heading out, nine miles behind me. Although a lot of money is raised by all the charity places, it irks me somewhat that there are so few ballot places. I did run for charity, but getting the money in afterwards is a lot more tiring than running the race itself! Good luck with the training......
David Harper, England

I used to get depressed when people overtook me - then I realised: some people only do short runs. A marathon runner will still be out running, when the sprinter is back home, soaking in the bath!
James, UK

14 (nearly 15) stone bloater here... training hard for london in nine weeks time.. I live just a bit outside Glasgow and my main trouble so far has been the weather. Juggling shifts and training is bad enough but add the blizzards/frost/ice we've been having lately it's a nightmare.. Ended up running in a blizzard on Sunday for the middle two or three miles of a 13 miler.. Was a bit scary for a bit but when the sun came out and the snow melted off my arms and legs, it felt great.. Good Luck Rob , see you at the finish...!!
Craig Balsillie, UK

I'm the same weight as Rob and I've entered the Swimathon (5000m/200 lengths) which is in 5 weeks. There's always something in the way of training: last week it was the flu, this week it's a trip to Paris for the Six Nations rugby, erm I mean Valentines day. I think you just have to try and fit in some training as regularly as possible, and this will build a core basis of fitness. Then hope that grit and sheer bloody-mindedness will get you through on the day. Don't give up!
Tim Hodkinson, N. Ireland

I also weigh over 100kg. I also run marathons (including an UltraMarathon in the Sahara and an Ironman). Best advice: don't be proud saying that you did six miles after a night on the wine. You have set yourself a very capable challenge, however take it seriously: otherwise you risk hurting/injuring yourself considerably. Don't look back on this in years to come saying you did a marathon when you could say "yes I did an marathon and I did it to the best of my ability.. 100%". I, for one, would have more respect for the person who puts in the dedication and completes the race hours after you finish: now, They will have a story I wish to hear.
Milky, Netherlands

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